Chinese Art A Beijing glass brush washer China, Qing dynasty, 18th century . . Cm 12,50 x 7,00. Brush washer for calligrapher. This type of production was developed in China in the early 18th century following the inauguration, in 1696, of the first imperial atelier dedicated to the glass manufacturing empowered by the Western technologies introduced by the Jesuits stationed at the imperial court. The artifacts issued by the imperial glassworks standed out for their high quality level and for the extraordinary variety and elegance of shapes and colors. The vast majority is in the "cameo" technique, which imply various overlapping layers of color cold worked with grinding wheels.